The Philippines is home to a staggering number of children who live on the streets. Faced with a multitude of every day challenges, many stop schooling. Some have taken on the task of encouraging the children to dream big for themselves and their families. These are the life and times of a volunteer tutor in the Philippines.

Monday, September 3, 2012

One day I was walking around the UP Diliman Chapel and a young girl asked money from me. I rarely give money, fearing this would fuel syndicates and usually gave food. At this time I didn't have any food with me.

I was about to walk away when a voice inside of me urged me to help her. I felt it strongly nudging me to do something. I rarely get strong convictions like this so I was uneasy.

I asked the girl her name and then told her I'd buy her food. Then I felt that inner voice again telling me to eat with her. I asked myself "WHAAT?" I have things to do, people to meet blah blah. But I told myself that if this was the voice of God then He might not speak to me ever again if I don't do it so I asked the child if she would like to eat with me. She was hesitant.

I was quite hesitant myself. With her bedraggled attire, I felt curious glances come our way but I tried to ignore these. I then thought "what if a classmate sees me?" I oftentimes scold myself for being too much of a people pleaser so I purposefully shrugged these thoughts off.

It was a feat getting her to pick what food she'd like to eat. I imagined that she would be so happy to be eating a full meal, fancied she would be happy to be eating with me. I chatted a little to make her feel at ease. She would hardly look at me, or her food and it was a major effort to let her eat. Sometimes she would answer my questions though I could feel she wasn't really enjoying the experience at all.

That meal was one of the most important life changing experiences I've ever had. I felt like the child's spirit needed rebuilding. She could not even rejoice at the little treat. She was not used to kindness. She was used to being ignored.

What could I do but reflect on this simple meal in a profound way. We are sons and daughters of the most high King. We were made in His image. We are fashioned masterfully but the artist of artists. We are His masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10). This child, and countless other street children need to know this.